Protector

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure includes a protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered. The protector includes a body and a flange member extending outwardly from the body. The flange member is configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl and the upper surface of the seat depending on whether the seat is raise or lowered. The distal portion of the body of the protector is disposed below the flange member while the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the flange member. In addition, the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange member rests on the upper surface of the bowl or the upper surface of the seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/241,377, filed Oct. 14, 2015, which provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to bathroom aids.

2. The Technology

When boys, by way of example, are young, they may have difficulty in controlling the direction of their urine flow. It is possible that young children do not successfully urinate into the toilet bowl. Young children have been known to urinate on the floor, on the seat or other areas of the toilet, or even on the wall. In addition, there are instances when other males need assistance in making sure the urine is directed into the toilet bowl. Due to the mess as well as keeping a bathroom clean, it is helpful to have a device that protects the floor, the seat, the wall and other areas from errant urine streams or splatter.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure can include a protector configured to cooperate with a toilet. In one embodiment the protector can include a body having an outer surface and an inner surface and a flange member which extends outwardly from the outer surface of the body. The body can comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion. In one embodiment, the distal portion is arranged below the flange member and the proximal portion is arranged above the flange member. The distal portion of the body is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange member rests on a seat or upper surface of the bowl.

In a further embodiment, the present disclosure can include a protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered. The protector includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface and a flange member extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body. The body further comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The flange member is configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl. The distal portion of the body of the protector is disposed below the flange member while the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the flange member. In addition, the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange member rests on the upper surface of the bowl or the upper surface of the seat.

These and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify at least some of the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts one example of a typical toilet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protector;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the protector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the protector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the protector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the protector of FIG. 2 positioned upon the bowl of a toilet; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective front view of the protector of FIG. 2 positioned upon the seat of a toilet.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of example configurations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a device that can be removably mounted on a toilet. When boys, by way of example, are young, they may have difficulty in controlling the direction of their urine flow. It is possible that young children do not successfully urinate into the toilet bowl. Young children have been known to urinate on the floor, on the seat or other areas of the toilet, or even on the wall. In addition, there are instances when other males need assistance in making sure the urine is directed into the toilet bowl. The need for such assistance may be due to age or illness. Alternatively, it could be that the male needs assistance in making sure the urine is directed into the toilet bowl due to some sort of a mental or physical disability. Due to the mess, as well as keeping a bathroom clean, it is helpful to have a device that protects the floor, the seat, the wall and other areas from misdirected urine streams and urine splatter.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a device that can prevent urine from landing on the toilet, the floor, the wall, or other undesired location. In addition, the device is shaped to cause any urine that hits it to be redirected into the toilet bowel. The device is also intended to reduce splash or splatter of the errant urine stream.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a toilet 100. The toilet 100 includes a body 110 that includes a base 109 and a tank 111. The base 109 is configured to form a bowl 106. The bowl 106 has an upper surface (not shown). A seat 104 and a lid 102 are attached to the base 109 in one example. The lid 102 and seat 104 can selectively rotate about a hinge and can be opened and closed independently.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a protector 200. As will be discussed in more detail below, the protector 200 is configured to fit inside or partially inside of a toilet bowl 106. The protector 200 forms a partial annular wall that extends upward from the toilet bowl 106. If a urine stream or splash begins to go outside of the bowl area, the urine stream may hit the wall of the protector 200. The protector 200 can ensure that the misdirected urine is redirected into the bowl. In addition, protector 200 may include hydrophilic coatings or a texture that will reduce or minimize any splash or splatter from urine that hits protector 200. Protector 200 is easily moved on and off of the toilet 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the protector 200 includes a body 206. The body 206 may be made of a resilient flexible material or of any other material that can maintain its shape while still having some flexibility. Advantageously, by being composed of a resilient flexible material the body 206 can be momentarily deformed as it is positioned on the toilet and once in place will tend to go back to its original shape. As a result, as the body 206 tries to return to its original shape, it may exert an outwardly acting force against the toilet 100. This force being exerted against the surfaces of the toilet 100 by protector 200 may provide added stability to the protector 200 when inserted into the bowl 106. It will be appreciated that the body 206 may be comprised of various kinds of resilient flexible materials known in the art including but not limited to various types of plastics and polymers. The body 206 may alternatively be rigid. In one embodiment, the body 206 may have a generally C-shaped body when viewed from a top as illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that body 206 could have various other shapes. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, body 206 has a distal or lower portion 212 and proximal or top portion 214.

Returning to FIG. 2, the body 206 includes a flange 204 (or multiple flanges 204) that extends outwardly from the body 206. In one embodiment, flange 204 extends substantially perpendicularly outward from body 206. It will be appreciated that flanges 204 may extend outwardly from the body 206 for various distances and have a width (W) (see FIG. 3). Flanges 204 are configured to have contact with a horizontal surface of the toilet 100 such as the top surface of the bowl 106 or the top surface of the seat 104 depending on whether the protector 200 is placed on the toilet 100 with the seat 104 up or down. As a result, the body 206 may be interchangeably positioned on either the upper surface of the bowl 106 or on the upper surface of the seat 104.

The flange 204 is generally arranged circumferentially on an exterior or outer surface 210 of the body 206. The flange 204 may be formed only on certain locations and need not be formed continuously on the outer surface. Alternatively, flange 204 may be a continuous flange formed around the circumference of the body 206.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, flanges 204 are located circumferentially on the sides of the body 206. The flanges 204 are elongated members. In one embodiment, the flanges 204 are elongated in the circumferential direction of the body 206. As shown in FIG. 3, flange 204 has a length “L” in the circumferential direction of the body 206 and a width “W” in the outwardly extending direction away from the body 206. In one embodiment, the length “L” is greater than the width “W”. It will be appreciated that flange 204 may have a variety of lengths (L) and widths (W). It will also be appreciated that where a plurality of flanges 204 are used, it is not required that they have a uniform length (L) or width (W). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, flanges 204 have the same length (L) and width (W).

In one embodiment depicted in the figures, protector 200 includes four flanges 204. It will be appreciated that various other numbers of flanges 204 could be used. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the flanges 204 are slightly spaced apart and have a gap 205 therebetween. While gap 205 is not very big in this embodiment, various other spacing arrangements and sizes of gaps 205 may be utilized. Similarly, flanges 204 may have various lengths as long as they are configured to have contact with the upper surface of either the bowl 106 or the seat 104.

In one embodiment, the flange 204 is placed closer to the distal or lower portion 212 of the body 206. Turning to FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the distal or lower portion 212 of the body 206 below the flange 204 extends into the bowl 106 of the toilet (not shown) while the flange 204 rests on the upper surface of the bowl 106 of the toilet 100. In the alternative, lower portion 212 of body 206 may be configured such that flange 204 rests upon the top of the seat 104 of the toilet 100 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

As illustrated, the flange 204 may extend outwardly sufficiently so that the body 206 does not fall into the bowl. The flange 204, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, may be divided into one or more sections by gap 205. In addition, in one example illustrated in FIG. 3, the flange 204 is symmetrically formed on two sides of the body 206. In the alternative, protector 200 may have various other numbers of flanges 204 which may or may not be symmetric. For example, protector 200 may have three flanges 204 with one flange on each of the sides of the body 206 and a third flange 204 being located at the back of the body 206 near the tank 111 of the toilet. Alternatively, protector 200 may have one flange 204 on one side and two flanges 204 on the other side.

If the flange 204 is formed at or near a distal or lower portion 212 of the body 206 (the end that is inserted into the bowl), then the proximal or top portion 214 of the body 206 may have a handle 202 formed thereon. The handle 202 is configured to allow the protector 200 to be easily inserted into the toilet, removed from the toilet and adjusted. As such, the handle 202 makes it even easier to put the protector in place for use and then remove it when the child or other user finishes urinating. In one embodiment, the handle 202 may have a curved shape configured to be grasped by a user's hand. It will be appreciated that handle 202 may have various other shapes and configurations. Alternatively, because of the ease of removal and installation of the protector 200, the protector 200 can be left in place on the toilet 100 and when others want to use the toilet 100, they may simply remove the protector 200, with or without handle 202, and use the toilet 100, and then when they are finished, easily and quickly insert protector 200 on the toilet 100 again in preparation for the child or other user to use the toilet.

In one embodiment, the body 206, flange 204, and handle 202 may be integrally formed from a mold of a suitable material. It will be appreciated that various other methods of attaching handle 202 and/or the flange(s) 204 to body 206 which are known in the art may be utilized.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the protector 200. FIG. 3 illustrates that the flange 204 is disposed at least on a part of the exterior or outer surface 210 of the body 206. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates an inner surface 208 of body 206 that is opposite an outer surface 210.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the protector 200, while FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the protector 200. In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates a distal or lower portion 212 that is effectively below the flange 204. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the proximal or top portion 214 is located above the flange 204. When inserted into a toilet, the distal portion 212 extends into the bowl. The distal or lower portion 212 (not visible in FIG. 6) may extend into the bowl at different lengths. The distal or lower portion 212 may not reach the water, may extend into the water, or may touch the inner surface of the bowl. In one embodiment, the distal or lower portion 212 does not touch the water.

As shown in FIG. 6, the protector 200 is supported by the flange 204, which rests on the upper surface of the toilet bowl 106. Alternatively, protector 200 may be supported by the flange 204 which is resting on the upper surface of the seat 104 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In one example, the body 206 may have some amount of resilient flexibility such that the front ends 216 shown in FIGS. 4-6 are pushed towards each other slightly when the protector 200 is inserted into the bowl opening. When released, the protector 200 may return to its original position and press against the side of the seat 104 or inside portion of the upper surface of the bowl 106 of the toilet 100 depending on whether the protector 200 is installed with the seat 104 up or down. The force being exerted against these surfaces by protector 200 may provide added stability to the protector 200 when inserted into the bowl 106. The outwardly acting force combined with the flange 204 provides additional stability for the protector 200.

In one embodiment, the proximal portion 214 of body 206 has a length that is longer than the distal portion 212 of the body 206 in the vertical direction (when inserted in the toilet bowl). The proximal portion 214 of body 206 provides height and provides more protection to misdirected urine streams.

The inner surface 208 of body 206 (or other portions of the protector 200) may be coated with an antimicrobial film or coating or the like to prevent the growth of bacteria. The inner surface 208 of body 206 or other portions of protector 200 may also be provided with a film or coating to encourage the urine to flow into the bowl 106 and not adhere to the inner surface 208 of body 206 of the protector 200.

In addition, in one embodiment, protector 200 may include a hydrophilic coating on the inner surface 208 of body 206 which will decrease the amount of splash or spatter from any urine stream hitting the protector 200. Protector 200 may also have a pattern formed in the inner surface of the body 206 which will assist in reducing the amount of urine splatter and splash.

As previously mentioned, FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the protector 200 arranged in the toilet 100 where the proximal portion 214 extends upwardly from the upper surface of the toilet bowl 106 and the distal portion 216 of the body 106 extends below the upper surface of the toilet bowl 106 and towards the interior of the bowl 106 (not visible), while the flange 204 removeably rests on the upper surface of the toilet bowl 106. In another embodiment, proximal portion 214 extends upwardly from the seat 104 and the distal portion 216 of the body extends into the interior of the bowl 106 below the seat 104, while the flange 204 removably rests on the seat 104.

In one example, the protector may include a case that may include a sanitizing agent. The case may be configured to hold the protector 200 when not in use and may be arranged such that the inner surface or portion of the protector 200 is subject to the sanitizing agent. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered, the protector comprising: a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; and a flange member extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body, the flange member being configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl, wherein the distal portion of the body is disposed below the flange member and the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the flange member, wherein the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange member rests on the upper surface of the bowl.
 2. The protector of claim 1, wherein the flange member is further configured to removeably cooperate interchangeably with the upper surface of the bowl and the upper surface of the seat depending on whether the seat is raise or lowered when the protector is installed.
 3. The protector of claim 1, wherein body is comprised a resilient flexible material configured to automatically adjust to fit different sizes of bowls and seats.
 4. The protector of claim 1, wherein upon being installed on the toilet, the body exerts an outward force on the toilet to further stabilize the protector.
 5. The protector of claim 1, wherein the flange member is an elongated member.
 6. The protector of claim 1, wherein the flange member is elongated in the circumferential direction of the body.
 7. The protector of claim 1, wherein the flange member has a length in the circumferential direction of the body that is greater than the width it extends outwardly from the body.
 8. The protector of claim 1, wherein the protector comprises a plurality of flange members.
 9. The protector of claim 1, wherein the protector further comprises a handle attached to the proximal portion of the body.
 10. The protector of claim 1, wherein the body is generally C-shaped.
 11. The protector of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the body has a coating to encourage the urine to flow into the bowl of the toilet.
 12. A protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered, the protector comprising: a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the body being composed of a resilient flexible material; and a plurality of elongated flange members extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body along the circumference of the body, the plurality of flange members being configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl, wherein the distal portion of the body is disposed below the plurality flange members and the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the plurality of flange portions, wherein the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into the bowl of the toilet while the flange portion rests on the upper surface of the bowl, wherein upon being installed on the toilet, the distal portion of the resilient body exerts an outward force on the toilet to further stabilize the protector.
 13. The protector of claim 12, wherein: the plurality of flange members are further configured to removeably cooperate interchangeably with the upper surface of the bowl and the seat depending on whether the seat is raised or lowered when the protector is installed, and the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into the bowl of the toilet while the flange portion rests on the upper surface of the bowl or the toilet seat.
 14. The protector of claim 12, wherein the plurality of flange members about the circumference of the body are all in the same plane.
 15. The protector of claim 12, wherein the plurality of flange members extend outward from the outer surface of the body in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the body.
 16. The protector of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the body has a coating to encourage the urine to flow into the bowl of the toilet.
 17. The protector of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the body has a hydrophilic coating to reduce splatter or splash of the urine that is hitting the protector.
 18. A protector configured to cooperate with a toilet, the protector comprising: a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the body comprising: a proximal portion; a distal portion; and a flange portion, wherein the distal portion is arranged below the flange portion, the proximal portion is arranged above the flange portion, the flange portion extends outwardly from the outer surface of the body, wherein the distal portion is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange portion rests on a seat or upper surface of the bowl. 